Solid basic AR optic mounts

eric1115

WKR
Joined
Jun 26, 2018
Messages
1,041
What do you all like for the AR cantilever equivalent of Sportsmatch rings on a Tikka? Mounting a SWFA 3-9x, looking for 1.5ish height.

I'm not interested in a $300+ NF, Geissele, ADM, LaRue, etc for this rifle, was looking at the SWFA SSALT (or Burris PEPR version, appears to be same mount with different branding), or one of the Warne cantilever mounts (or the Brownells that appears to be a rebranded Warne). No interest in QD currently but open to hearing why I should be (though I think for reliable QD I would need to step up to ADM/Larue/NF tier mount?). Not much interest in adding a red dot (probably would do offset if I did rather than on top)

Is there a $100ish mount out there that's good? That's not a hard limit, but if there's a good but not sexy option I'm 100% fine with that and diverting those extra dollars to more important stuff like another kid's gun, another suppressor, etc that I'm trying to swing this year (along with keeping up with the kids' ammo appetite).
 
What do you all like for the AR cantilever equivalent of Sportsmatch rings on a Tikka? Mounting a SWFA 3-9x, looking for 1.5ish height.

I'm not interested in a $300+ NF, Geissele, ADM, LaRue, etc for this rifle, was looking at the SWFA SSALT (or Burris PEPR version, appears to be same mount with different branding), or one of the Warne cantilever mounts (or the Brownells that appears to be a rebranded Warne). No interest in QD currently but open to hearing why I should be (though I think for reliable QD I would need to step up to ADM/Larue/NF tier mount?). Not much interest in adding a red dot (probably would do offset if I did rather than on top)

Is there a $100ish mount out there that's good? That's not a hard limit, but if there's a good but not sexy option I'm 100% fine with that and diverting those extra dollars to more important stuff like another kid's gun, another suppressor, etc that I'm trying to swing this year (along with keeping up with the kids' ammo appetite).
DNZ works very well.
 
Have have not had any issues with the aero mounts.

My current bang around truck gun has a leupold mount. Bought it because thats what the store had. No complaints

1000002220.jpg
 
I have a Warne on my new 6mm ARC build and I like it, but the Seekins was really sweet and wish I would've kept it. I haven't shot with the Warne yet so can't say how it holds up. We use the P E.P.R. mounts on our beater ARs for hogs because we can mount the red lights or IR to the rings easily. Never had any issues with zero retention or otherwise and those guns get rattled to pieces by boat and back of the truck and ATVs.

There's a Leupold in the classifieds here dirt cheap and also an Aero lightweight.
 
I’ve had two rifles banging around the back floorboards of pickups with scopes in SWFA SSALT mounts for close onto a decade now with no ill effects so far. There’s only so much that can go into a scope mount of the type and I don’t think one company’s mass produced extruded mount can be that much different than another out side of the odd lemon.
 
I have a Warne on my new 6mm ARC build and I like it, but the Seekins was really sweet and wish I would've kept it. I haven't shot with the Warne yet so can't say how it holds up. We use the P E.P.R. mounts on our beater ARs for hogs because we can mount the red lights or IR to the rings easily. Never had any issues with zero retention or otherwise and those guns get rattled to pieces by boat and back of the truck and ATVs.

There's a Leupold in the classifieds here dirt cheap and also an Aero lightweight.
 

Attachments

  • PXL_20250611_012445301.jpg
    PXL_20250611_012445301.jpg
    203.7 KB · Views: 14
  • PXL_20250611_012500139.jpg
    PXL_20250611_012500139.jpg
    200.3 KB · Views: 13
 
I like your mentality. I have a QD ADM mount on a 5.56 SPR build and it's great, and I did get it at a good price.. but that said, since i never use the QD feature I really wish I had saved the cash and found a ~$100 solid mount. Nothing against ADM, it's a very well made mount, but some of the crazy prices you see aren't really indicative of a vastly superior product. On the next build I'll be looking at the SWFA and Burris stuff.
 

I kind of like the look of that. Looks like it would provide some of what makes a mk12 so consistent without the PRIce tag.

Do you have/use one? Did you notice a difference in consistency?
 
I kind of like the look of that. Looks like it would provide some of what makes a mk12 so consistent without the PRIce tag.

Do you have/use one? Did you notice a difference in consistency?

I have one but have not used it much. I got it because I tried out a flattop chassis from MDT and didn't want to have to remount any scopes. It allowed me to keep all my scopes in their normal bolt action rings.

I did proof the setup for drop/zero retention testing with one of my Nightforce and it worked. I didn't like that particular chassis and sold it, but have kept the WyoLok for my carbines and mounting any of my scopes.

I am unsure if it is better/worse/same as one of the flattop specific high cantilever mounts; it didn't cause me any concerns, however.
 
I kind of like the look of that. Looks like it would provide some of what makes a mk12 so consistent without the PRIce tag.

Do you have/use one? Did you notice a difference in consistency?

Interesting how all their images show it bridging the receiver and handguard. Thought that was generally accepted as a bad idea for consistency, having one rail mounted on 2 different surfaces that can potentially move independently of one another.
 
Interesting how all their images show it bridging the receiver and handguard. Thought that was generally accepted as a bad idea for consistency, having one rail mounted on 2 different surfaces that can potentially move independently of one another.

That's what I was referring to, the PRI Mk12 handguard system has a rail that locks the handguard and upper receiver together. A mount that engages a short bit of rail with a couple clamping screws can do as you say, but a longer rail like on the PRI or to a lesser extent this shorter one, with more screws than a regular mount, provides a benefit of helping tie the upper and hand guard together, reducing poi shift from different input/pressure on a handguard and offering good scope position without needing a long cantilever mount.

At least that's my understanding, there could definitely be some holes or misunderstanding. I don't own a Mk12, but have had a crush on them for quite a while.
 
Back
Top